Blaby District Council has granted planning permission to UK developer Exagen, for a 500MW/1GWh grid-scale battery energy storage project on land to the north-east of Earl Shilton, Leicestershire.
The Normanton Energy Reserve will be one of the largest such projects in Europe and will serve the UK’s National Grid. The Planning Committee’s decision follows months of public consultation on proposals for the site, which include new habitats, extensive new woodland and boosting local biodiversity by over 25%.
Once built, the battery will be capable of powering 235,000 homes for two hours – the equivalent of 80% of the homes in Leicestershire – making it one of the largest BESS projects to be granted planning permission in the UK.
At about 10 times larger than most batteries currently providing storage for the grid, the £270m site will be directly connected to the energy network at a new substation and will help maintain grid stability in the face of increasing electricity demand.
Up to 35GW of storage capacity will be needed in the UK by 2050 to reach net zero targets said Exagen, adding the Normanton Energy Reserve project alone equates to 1.4% of this national requirement.
The site will be essential in helping the UK to transition to net zero while connecting enough home-grown energy to power homes and businesses in a safe and sustainable way said the developer.
The approved plans will see 45% of the 19 acres of land used to improve biodiversity. Normanton Millennium Wood will be extended and there will be new wildflower meadows and land for beekeeping, along with new hedgerows and perimeter tree planting.
The project will boost biodiversity habitat units by over 25%, compared to the existing baseline, stated Exagen.
The developer will take ownership of the land, so will have a long-term vested interest in the local community and stewardship of the site it added.
Exagen said it will establish a dedicated community fund to spend on improvements in the local area as a priority, building on its sponsorship, since June 2023, of the nearby Thurlaston Junior Football Club.
The start of construction will see £250,000 made available for local projects and groups and, once operational, £50,000 will be added each year of the project’s operational life of up to 40 years – amounting to around £4m.
Ahead of the main site construction, some landscaping works and planting will be implemented and given the chance to establish and grow. This will be followed by pre-construction activity, including service and equipment procurement, with an ambition to partner with local businesses as much as possible said Exagen.
“For the UK to achieve its 2050 net zero target at the lowest possible cost, there needs to be an increase in electricity storage capacity to balance renewable energy generation,” said Exagen Development chief executive Jeremy Littman.
“As more renewables are deployed, larger battery projects like Normanton will be required. It is vital that they are developed sensitively and in partnership with the local communities that host them.
“We have been guided by our local stakeholders to achieve consent for a significant infrastructure project that is unobtrusive and balances national needs with local benefit.
“We will work now to deliver this project into operation in that same spirit of partnership, and as an active and useful member of the local community.”